counselling Flashcards
what is the difference between personal and professional relationships?
personal-
- grow out of mutual attraction and common interests
- can be terminated due to personal interests
- communication skills are important
- intimate, support and care to both people
- more comfortable than stressful
professional-
- intimate, support and care is one way ONLY
- focuses on helping client achieve goals
- terminated when client achieves goals
- helper interested in client 100% of the time
- Not always comfortable and can be stressed
- clients see helpers as allies
Counselling is defined as
A limited timed relationship in which counsellors help clients increase their ability to deal with the demands of their changing life.
In counselling there are two types of goals they are:
short term
long term
what is the short term goal?
to provide assistance so that the person seeking help can gain some control over the problem.
what is the long term goal?
to help the client develop the ability to cope with the changing demands of their life.
When counselling clients, a counsellor can do the following:
- help clients with painful feelings
- teach new skills
- help develop problem solving skills
- mediate difficulties in relationships
- help clients identify and access resources
- help clients with making decisions and action plans
- support clients
Counsellors should never offer what? to clients
advise
what are the 4 phases of counselling?
- preliminary
- beginning
- action
- ending
what happens in the preliminary phase?
the preliminary phase is when the counsellor gets their info pertaining to client, emergency contacts, previous resources, determine how long they will see individual, and it’s important to remember this stage the counsellor has not met client.
what happens in the beginning phase?
the beginning phase is when the counsellor starts to develop a relationship with the client, in this stage the counsellor will probe more into the issue that brought the client in, and will use their active listening skills to develop trust.
what happens in the action phase?
the action phase is when the counsellor starts to introduce problem solving skills, role playing, provide goal setting, challenge client in their way of thinking, give new perspectives.
what happens in the ending phase?
the ending phase is when problems need to be solved or improved by certain date, develop back up plans, and contracting is done.
what are the four basic cluster skills?
- relationship building
- exploring and probing
- empowering skills
- challenging skills
In cluster 1: Relationship building there are five important things to watch for what are they?
- congruency
- empathy
- positive regard
- active listening
- contracting
define congruency
congruency is you being genuine and yourself. Your non verbals and verbals need to match.
define empathy
empathy is the process of accurately understanding the emotional perspective of another person and being able to communicate the understanding. Recognize the feeling and say it back
ex: How did that make you feel?
define positive regard
positive regard is respecting the person, not their behavior. You are able to separate actions from your feelings
define active listening
Active listening is hearing with thoughtful attention, it involves:
- hearing
- observing
- responding
define contracting
contracting is an agreement (verbal) putting ownership on the client. It should leave client with a task
ex: before next session your going to….. and we will revisit where you are then.
In cluster 2: exploring and probing, what are the seven important things to use when interviewing a client?
1: Directives- directing the flow of the conversation in order to get the client to where you need them to be.
ex: “ can you tell me more about…..”
2: Encouragers- using verbal and non verbal cues
ex: head nods, yes, uh huh
3: Self disclosure- time and place for this. Your experience, your situation is only appropriate for the client not to validate your own needs.
4: Humor- works well with an established relationship. Do not use sarcasm people who are vulnerable or their heads are messy will take it personally.
5: Open ended questions- Is an indirect question, fill in the blanks
ex: “so when this happens you feel….”
6: Responding to non verbal cue- Tone and body language
7: Transitions- Remember the 4 phases. Counselling sessions should only last 45-1 hour long, pay attention to time and don’t let session go on.
In cluster 3: Empowering Skills what are the five skills necessary for counsellors to use?
1: Strength identification- Focus on positives, their skills and strengths. Rely on previous resources that client has had
2: Teaching-Use role playing to teach, teach social skills, life skills, stress management.
3: Information Giving- Give client resources in the community
4: Supporting- Provide clients with support, give them strength and encouragement
5: Anxiety Management- Stress management techniques such as (breathing, going for walks, listening to relaxing music). If client is calm they are less likely to use negative behaviors again.
In cluster 4: Challenging Skills, what are the three skills a counsellor must use?
1: Confrontation- Telling someone how or what to think
2: Action planning- helping clients set goals, develop the steps for down the road and evaluate the outcomes
3: Power of Authority- Recognize that the client hold you in high regard and there is a power shift. The client recognizes that you are there to help them. DO NOT ABUSE POWER, IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU!
what are some characteristics of Empathy?
- you are not born with empathy it is something learned
- must be able to communicate the understanding to client
- caring and understanding of clients feelings
- communicates understanding, builds trust and helps make you credible to your clients
- you need to be comfortable with ALL emotions
- will teach clients to be able to identify and label feelings that are painful and overwhelming.
What are the three types of Empathy?
1: Invitational
2: Basic
3: Inferred
what is Invitational Empathy?
invitational empathy is inviting the client to talk more about their feelings, it normalizes the clients feelings which will make it easier for them to talk and accept. you can use a self disclosure here.
ex: “ How do you feel….” or “How does that make you feel when….”